3 minute read
Inspiring Stargirls of the future
from Contact 15
BY LIZ WILLIAMS (SKAO)
In early March, the SKAO partnered with the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) to deliver the first regional tour of the STEM Stargirls camp in Australia’s Mid West.
There was a full house for the event, with more than 40 applicants vying for the 21 available spots at SKAO’s new office in Geraldton.
The free event was open to Year 8-12 (ages 12-18) girls and gender minorities interested in pursuing a career in astronomy, engineering or data science. The twoday camp was an opportunity to practice real-world astronomy research skills and hear from leading experts in the field.
The camp was delivered by the ICRAR Education and Outreach team, supported by funding and a venue from the SKAO team in Australia.
For the first time, representatives from the Wajarri Yamaji – Traditional Owners and native title holders of the site where SKA-Low is being built – joined the event to share stories of Wajarri cultural connection to sky and Country.
Jennylyn Hamlett from the Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation and Leonie Boddington from CSIRO spoke at the event, and hosted a Wajarri language workshop, including sharing language used for parts of the observatory and radio telescopes or connected to the sky.
Several SKA-Low team scientists and engineers participated, sharing the latest news about SKA-Low telescope construction. Dr Sarah Pearce and Angela Teale joined remotely from Inyarrimana Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, where they had spent the day installing the first antennas for the SKA-Low telescope. Dr Jess Broderick talked to the students about the excitement surrounding potential SKA science, and all three participated in “speed networking” with the students.
The sessions also included representatives from SKAO collaborators ICRAR and CSIRO, and a night-time “sidewalk astronomy” event on the first evening.
Students had very positive feedback:
“The whole thing was an amazing experience, but the networking session was by far my favourite. Being able to talk to people who are so passionate about what they do was wonderful.”
“I particularly enjoyed the overall atmosphere during the whole camp. All staff and presenters made me feel very welcome and were always open for questions.”
“I enjoyed having the special guests coming in and sharing their pathways they have taken and how they were interactive with everyone.”
The team looks forward to hosting similar camps in the future.
